The Backer Hotwatt 100 Series is a solid-state analog temperature controller designed for industrial heating applications where a simple, reliable proportional control loop is preferred over complex digital PID configuration. It uses a Type J thermocouple sensor input with an adjustable proportional bandwidth, providing smooth power regulation for resistive heating loads such as cartridge heaters, band heaters, and small furnaces.

Proportional Control with Adjustable Bandwidth

• Adjustable Bandwidth (1–10 °C): The proportional band determines how far from the setpoint the controller begins reducing output power. Narrower bandwidth provides tighter control; wider bandwidth reduces cycling for systems with high thermal inertia.
• Triac or Relay Output: The Triac output cycles at 2 seconds for fast-response, noiseless switching. An optional relay output with 10-second cycle time is available for higher-current loads or applications where zero-cross switching is preferred.
• Setpoint via Local Potentiometer: Temperature setpoint is adjusted directly on the controller using the integrated potentiometer. No external programmer, software, or communication protocol is required.

Type J Thermocouple Input with Sensor Break Protection

• Wide Temperature Range: Accepts Type J thermocouples with a setpoint range of 0°F to 1000°F (-18°C to 538°C), covering most general-purpose industrial heating applications.
• Sensor Break Cutoff: If the thermocouple circuit opens (broken wire, disconnected probe, or degraded junction), the controller automatically de-energizes the output, preventing runaway heating that could damage equipment or create a fire hazard.

Field-Selectable Power Supply

• 115/230 VAC Dual Voltage: Input voltage is selectable in the field without a separate transformer or model variant. Accepts ±10% variation from nominal 50/60 Hz mains. A 24 VAC option is also available.
• 24 VDC Output for SSR: An auxiliary 24 VDC output can drive an external solid-state relay, allowing the controller to switch loads that exceed the built-in Triac or relay rating while maintaining proportional control.

Status Indication, Accuracy & Standards

• Power & Load Indicator Lamps: Separate lamps indicate mains power presence and load energization, allowing the operator to verify system status at a glance without test equipment.
• Accuracy & Stability: Control accuracy is typically better than 0.5% of the selected range. The setpoint remains within ±1°C across a ±10°C ambient temperature change or ±10% mains voltage variation—important for unheated control panels and factories with fluctuating line voltage.
• UL & CSA Design: The controller is designed to meet UL and CSA safety standards, simplifying equipment certification for OEMs shipping to North American markets.

Applications

• Heat sealing and packaging machinery requiring proportional heater control
• Small industrial furnaces and ovens with Type J thermocouple sensors
• Plastics processing equipment (extruders, injection molding barrel preheating)
• Cartridge and band heater temperature regulation in OEM equipment
• Laboratory heating apparatus and environmental test chambers